This political dynamic is instructive. In my view, politicizing economic decisions has had an adverse impact on both politics and power as well as our economy and our individual, financial, well-being.

On the one hand, the Republican controlled, Harrisburg government forces taxpayers and Marcellus Shale energy consumers to subsidize county and municipal government political expenditures while giving Shell Oil a stunning double tax break. While reasons exist in our current Statist environment, for the Governor to negotiate for the billion dollar facility and its beneficial economic impact, however it also demonstrates that some Taxpayers are more equal than others.

The thinking that lower taxes creates jobs, grows productive businesses and lowers energy costs is a valid one. If it works for Shell, why not every small business in Pennsylvania?